Facial Eczema Spore Counts

Facial eczema is a disease caused by a fungal spore and affects cattle, sheep, deer, llamas, and alpacas (but not horses). Fungal spores on pasture typically peak from January to early autumn. Facial eczema occurs when fungal spores are ingested and a toxin is released, causing liver damage and severe, often painful, secondary skin damage (which is not always visible).

Prevention: Once the disease progresses, it may not be possible to treat it, so prevention is better than a cure. On lifestyle blocks for sheep and cattle, the most effective way to do this is by using oral zinc boluses (Faceguard) every 4-6 weeks. Zinc pellets should be fed to alpaca and llamas (start supplementation about 3 weeks before the danger period and carry out for approximately 100 days).

Danger spore levels:

• Sheep 30,000 spores/gram
• Cattle 20,000 spores/gram
• Camelids 10,000 spores/gram

Keep an eye on regional spore count updates to know when to start zinc.

Grass samples for spore counts can be a helpful tool in monitoring. We charge a small fee per sample.

Call our farm clinics for more information.